Gary Brooke signed professional forms for Spurs in October 1978. The
Bethnal Green born
midfielder made his league debut in November 1980,
just five days after his twentieth birthday,
when he came on as
substitute in Tottenham's 3-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion. In his
first full game for Spurs, on Boxing Day 1980, Brooke hit two goals in a
4-4 home draw with
Southampton. The 5ft 6in midfielder made 18 league
appearances in that debut season,
10 as substitute, with his other
league goal helping Spurs to a 2-2 draw at home to Stoke in March.
The
young midfielder also appeared in seven of Spurs FA Cup games, scoring
the second goal
in a 2-0 home victory over Hull in round four. Having
appeared as a substitute in a 1-1 draw
with Manchester City in the
final, Brooke picked up his first medal when he watched from the
sidelines as Spurs secured the trophy with a 3-2 replay win. With the
likes of Osvaldo Ardiles,
Ricky Villa, Glenn Hoddle, Graham Roberts and
Tony Galvin vying for midfield places, Garry
found himself often on the
bench during the 1981-82 campaign.
Including substitute appearances,
Brooke was used 18 times throughout the season. Proving
his eye for
goal, Garry hit four goals in three games during the month of May.
Brooke's only
two FA Cup appearances came in the final with QPR, coming
on in a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 replay
win to earn a second consecutive
winners medal. The following season Garry enjoyed his most
productive
spell in the side, playing in 23 league games and scoring 7 times before
misfortune
struck.
He was involved in a serious car crash in February
1983 and although he thankfully recovered
Brooke was never able to
re-establish himself in the first team. He made a handful of appearances
over the next two seasons before a £50,000 move to Norwich City in May
1985. (Tony Smith) |
FOOTBALL LEAGUE CAREER.
Years Team Games Goals.
1978–1985 Tottenham Hotspur 73 (15)
1979–1980 GAIS (loan) 23 (8)
1985–1987 Norwich City 14 (2)
1987–1988 Groningen 38 (9)
1988–1990 Wimbledon 12 (0)
1990 Stoke City (loan) 8 (0)
1990 Brentford 11 (1)
1990–1991 Baldock Town
1991 Colchester United
1991 Reading 4 (0)
1991 Wivenhoe Town
1991–1993 St Albans City
Total 183 games (38 goals)